Fireworks display, parade have new times
By Tracy Ouellette
SLN Staff
The East Troy Lions Club’s Fourth of July celebration runs until July 7 at Rossmiller Park (Amusement Park), 3072 Graydon Ave., East Troy.
The annual festival features a carnival, car and motorcycle show, beer tent, “Salute to the American Farmer” parade, live music, corn hole and dart tournaments, food, contests and more.
What’s new?
There are some changes this year that organizers want the public to be aware of.
“We’ve moved the fireworks to dusk on Saturday (July 6) and the parade to noon on Sunday (July 7),” Lion John Biersak said. “We’re not having the truck and tractor pull, either, and we’re closing early on Sunday, at 7 p.m.”
Additionally, the Lions will not be returning the truck and tractor pull this year. However, the kiddie peddle tractor pulls will continue. The kiddie parade has also been canceled because of low attendance, organizers said.
New this year is the Lions Den Beer Garden where families can gather for the live entertainment without having to go into the beer tent.
“Where we usually have the food stand, we’re also going to have live entertainment to make it more family friendly,” Lion Dan Mittelsteadt said.
Other activities for families include the Cassidy’s Critters show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which has pony rides, a monkey trailer, petting zoo and face painting.
“It’s a favorite, so we’re bringing it back,” Biersak said.
Fun at the carnival
The Lions Club’s carnival is a favorite of the festivalgoers and opens at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 4.
Mega Bands, for unlimited rides during all operation times are available for $40 in advance or $50 on the grounds. Daily wristbands are $15 in advance or $25 at the festival.
Wristbands are available at Gus’s Drive-In, Rhodes Towing and Auto Repair, Citizens Bank in the East Troy Piggly Wiggly, Citizens Bank and First Citizens Bank, both on Main Street in East Troy.
Carnival hours are 5 to 11 p.m. July 5, noon to 11 p.m. July 6 and 1 to 7 p.m. July 7. Wristband hours are 4 to 10 p.m. July 4, 6 to 11 p.m. July 5, noon to 5 p.m. and 6 to 11 p.m. July 6, and 2 to 7 p.m. July 7.
In the beer tent
The East Troy Beer Tent will feature Miller products and live music throughout the festival’s run with no cover charge.
The tent is open from 2 p.m. to midnight July 4, 5 p.m. to midnight July 5, noon to midnight July 6, and 1 to 7 p.m. July 7.
On stage at the beer tent will be The Cheap Shots from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. July 4, Lunch Money Bullies from 8 to 11:30 p.m. July 5, Dirty Boogie from 2 to 6 p.m. July 6, Mount Olive from 8 p.m. to midnight July 6, and FM Rodeo from 3 to 7 p.m. July 7.
Buy raffle tickets
The Lions Club annual Fourth of July raffle features a grand prize of a choice of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Chevy car, Polaris Ranger or $8,000. Second place is $500 and the third- through fifth-place prize is $250.
Tickets may be purchased from any Lions Club member or at Gus’s Drive In or Rhodes Towing and Auto Repair.
The raffle drawing will be in the East Troy Beer Tent at 6 p.m. July 7.
See the cars
The festivities include the Lions Club’s 18th annual Classic Car and Motorcyle show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 6, at East Troy Middle School, 3143 Graydon Ave.
The event will feature food, music, prizes and the First Inaugural Classic Motorcycle Show. Registration is from 9 to 11 a.m. and costs $10. Voting will be from 9 a.m. to noon with trophies in every class, including Participant’s Choice and Chairman’s Trophy. The first 100 entries will receive a dash plaque.
For more information about the cars, contact Mark at markjac60@gmail.com. For more information about the motorcycle, contact Sarah at sarah_etlioness@yahoo.com.
For a full schedule and/or more information, visit easttroylions.org.
